Aiyedatiwa barred from contesting Ondo governorship again, Appeal Court rules

The Court of Appeal in Abuja has delivered a major blow to Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, by dismissing his appeal challenging a Federal High Court ruling that questioned his eligibility to contest the next governorship election in the state.

In a unanimous judgment, a three-member panel of the appellate court held that the Federal High Court in Akure rightly exercised its discretion in granting the plaintiff, Akindele Egbuwalo, leave to amend his originating summons.

Justice Uchechukwu Onyemenam, delivering the lead judgment, stated that Aiyedatiwa failed to prove that the trial judge’s decision caused him any injustice or violated his right to a fair hearing. The court therefore dismissed the governor’s appeal for lacking merit and awarded ₦2 million in costs against him.

Earlier, Aiyedatiwa had filed an application seeking to set aside an order issued on January 27, 2026, which stayed further proceedings in the suit before the Federal High Court. The appellate court affirmed that the order was a lawful exercise of its jurisdiction to protect the integrity of its proceedings and to prevent its judgment from being rendered nugatory.

The court noted that by the time the order was made, Aiyedatiwa’s appeal had already been entered, records compiled, and briefs filed. It ruled that asking the appellate court to set aside its own valid order would amount to sitting on appeal over its own decision. Consequently, the court awarded an additional ₦1 million in costs against the governor for the application.

The judgment effectively bars Aiyedatiwa from participating in the next Ondo State governorship election, marking a significant development in the state’s political landscape.